Climbing for Cancer

HELP US PROVIDE BETTER CANCER CARE IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD

The background: In the USA, patients generally have access to excellent cancer care, and radiation oncologists are not too hard to come by (you may know more than one!). In developing countries, the situation is often quite different. Access to care is limited, and curable cancers are a common cause of morbidity and mortality. In Tanzania, there is only one cancer center that offers radiation therapy to serve the country of 44 million people.


The mission: We are traveling to Tanzania in March 2013 with a small non-profit organization called Radiating Hope. The organization has already procured land in the city of Moshi to set up a cancer center. We are asking for contributions towards the ultimate fundraising goal of $150,000 to place a cancer center with a linear accelerator to serve this area of need, which serves a population of over 11 million people.


What are we doing to earn your support?
First, we plan to hike the highest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft), over 5 days with a group of ten other radiation oncologists. We will be flying prayer flags at the peak of the mountain to recognize our supporters. The prayer flag can bear any name you wish to assign on it "“ yours, someone close to you, or anyone you know who has been affected by cancer. Next, we will work alongside local physicians in a clinic and participate in a full-day conference (Greater Horn Oncology Symposium) that will help to establish best practices for cancer screening and cancer therapy.



What can you do? We are excited to take part of this effort and would be honored to have your support! Your tax-deductible contribution will go directly towards the cost of building a cancer center that WILL result in better quality of life and lives saved for those in need.

For more information on the mission and the organization, see the website radiatinghope.org.